Clint McKay claimed four wickets for 20 runs

Inspired by the half-centuries of wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade (67) and David Hussey (67 not out) after forced to bat, Australia managed 216-5 in reduced 32 overs.

The stiff target remains beyond the range of tourists, as they were skittled out for 151 runs thanks to Clint McKay’s (4-20) four-wicket salvo.

Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc banged in his first over and claimed Sachin Tendulkar (2), caught by Ricky Ponting at gully before edging his fellow opener Gautam Gambhir (5) to gloveman Wade behind stumps.

India VS Australia: Kohli, Rohit added 51 runs

After the double setback Virat Kohli (31) and Rohit Sharma (21) commenced the rebuilt and stitched up 51 runs for third wicket before felling to McKay in the same over.

Kohli was the first to go, who spooned a catch to Ponting before Kohli got caught behind to Wade.

Soon after, seamer Daniel Christian extended India’s misery by getting rid of Suresh Raina (4), who bounced an easy catch to David Hussey at point.

MS Dhoni (29) and Ravindra Jadeja (19) provisionally suspended the topple of wickets but with 37-run stand for sixth wicket but after the dismissal of latter, who fell to McKay, India were unable to recuperate and capitulated in 29.4 overs.

Earlier, paceman Vinay Kumar suffered Australia double blow before the cloudburst and dismissed David Warner (6) and Ricky Ponting (2) cheaply.

Warner attempted a big heave across the line on a well-pitched delivery. The ball curled in, traveled through the gap between bat and pad and uprooted the stumps.

Ponting played an uncontrolled shot which went straight to Suresh Raina at covers.

India VS Australia: Wade hit four boundaries, two sixes

Australia were 35/2 in 11 overs when the play was stopped due to heavy rain with skipper Michael Clarke, and opener Wade present at crease for 5 and 21 runs respectively. .

After the proceedings resumed about two hours later off-spinner Rohit Sharma amplified the hosts’ woes by edging Clark (10) to his namesake Rahul in slips.

But afterwards Wade and Mike Hussey (45) switched on a show of blistering hitting, and mauled Indian bowlers all around the ground.

Rahul ended 73-run partnership between the pair by nettling the stumps of Wade, whose 69-ball knock was studded with four boundaries and two sixes.

Three overs later Mike also followed Wade’s footsteps, handing Vinay his third wicket.

David boosted the scoreboard with some late fireworks, smashing four boundaries and three gigantic sixes during his swashbuckling 30-ball 61.

India VS Australia 1st ODI Scorecard

Brett Lee ruled out of tri-series due to foot injury

The 35-year-old was struck by a ball in the last over of his spell in the second Twenty20 match against India in Melbourne, and subsequent x-rays have confirmed a fracture of the small toe.

Lee is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks

Lee is expected to serve up to six weeks on sidelines.

“Brett Lee sustained a fracture of his right foot when he was struck by a ball in the last over of his spell during the KFC T20 against India at the MCG on Friday night,” Cricket Australia team doctor Trefor James said in a statement.

“He was able to complete the over, however the foot became more painful and swollen the following day. An x-ray has confirmed a fracture of the small toe and we now expect Brett will return to cricket in four-six weeks.”

Lee’s replacement will be named after today’s match

Lee has taken 357 wickets for Australia in one-day internationals and last played in the format on the tour of Sri Lanka in August.

Lee’s replacement will be named after today’s opening one-dayer at the MCG. The strongest candidates for the vacant spot are Victoria’s Peter Siddle and Tasmanian duo Ben Hilfenhaus and James Franklin.

Younis Khan notched up his 20th Test century against England in Dubai

The 34-year-old batsman (115 not out) established an unconquered 194-run stand alongside Azhar Ali (75 not out) to take Pakistan 222-2 at close.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman produced his second successive five-wicket haul as England were bundled out for 141, claiming a diminutive 42-run lead.

Younis, who had only 66 runs in the last four innings, scored the first ton from either side in the series with a sweep shot off left-arm spinner Monty Panesar for a double, accomplishing the landmark off 166-balls.

Pakistan VS England: Younis hit 11 boundaries, one six

His so far 195-ball knock is laced with 11 boundaries and a six.

Azhar batted more cautiously and brought up his 14th half-century. His 246-ball knock features three fours and a six.

Losing openers Taufiq Umar (6) and Mohammad Hafeez (21) cheaply, Pakistan were reeling at 30-2 at lunch but after break Younis-Azhar association negotiated opposition’s bowling attack levelheadedly and dauntlessly.

The pair rotated the strike largely but occasionally counter attacked. Younis slashed a boundary off part-time spinner Jonathan Trott to bring up Pakistan’s 100.

They took Pakistan to 120-2 at tea.

Adopting the similar approach of concentrating on singles and doubles after the second interval, the pair continued to dominate over England bowlers.

Amassing 85-mark Younis got more eager for ton and cracked two boundaries off Panesar in an over to advance into 90s.

Earlier, Umar and Hafeez opened Pakistan’s innings sluggishly and scored their first runs after three maiden overs.

James Anderson again gave England early breakthrough, producing a sharp edge off Umar, which secured into the hands of Andrew Strauss in slips.

Hafeez slammed a boundary and a six off Panesar before snaring lbw in the same over.

Pakistan VS England: Strauss scored half-century

Resuming the innings at 104-6, England added 37 runs to their overnight score before skittling out in 55 overs.

Strauss, with an overnight score of 42, played an ultra-cautious knock of 56 from 150 balls hitting three fours before getting caught behind off Rehman, who had claimed Anderson in first over of day.

Saeed Ajmal claimed Stuart Broad (4), and Graeme Swann (16) to finish with 3-59.

Pakistan have already clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with massive victories at the same venue and Abu Dhabi and are aiming to record their first whitewash against England.

Pakistan VS England 3rd Test Scorecard

Sahara withdraws Cricket team sponsorship, out of IPL

“We are withdrawing from all cricket under BCCI,” the group stated. “However, we don’t want to give any problem to the BCCI and we also feel that the players should not suffer. BCCI will definitely take 2-4 months to get a new sponsor and we will continue paying the sponsorship money till then. All other IPL team players, coaches and other such associates will definitely get their due this year, in case they do not get a chance to play.”

Sahara had sponsorship rights for India since 2001

The company had sponsorship rights for the national team since 2001. In the last bid Sahara had claimed the sponsorship for the Indian Cricket Team for Rs 400 crore for a four-year period which ended on 2009. But they extended their deal to six more months as BCCI failed to find sponsors.

Shahra signed a renewed agreement with the BCCI on July 1, 2010 till December 31, 2013.

Sahara was paying 3.34 corer per international match

Sahara was paying Rs 3.34 corer per international match to have their logo displayed on the jersey of Indian cricket team.

Sahara has also requested BCCI to pass on the Pune Warriors to some other interested party instantly. The group will reinvest funds in other 20 sports.

Pakistan celebrates Ian Bell's dismissal

Broad (4-36) and Anderson (3-35) produced the devastating marathons with sharp movement and bounce to bundle out Pakistan for 99, their sixth lowest ever total against England.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman (3-23) then struck thrice in the final session to resurrect Pakistan.

Pakistan VS England: Strauss unbeaten at 41

Leading from front under the shattering circumstances with an ultra-cautious approach, England skipper scored an unbeaten 41 off 120 and will resume the proceedings with Anderson (3 not out) on Saturday.

Thanks to the early strikes by seamer Umar Gul (2-28), England were wobbling at 19-2 at tea but Strauss put on 57 runs alongside Kevin Pietersen (32) for third wicket put England in a strong position.

Gul edged Alastair Cook (1) behind the stumps and trapped Jonathan Trott (2) leg-before in successive overs.

Strauss-Pietersen association spilt with the dismissal of latter, who snared off Rehman in front of stumps.

Ian Bell, with a defensive approach, crawled to 5 off 28 balls before getting stumped by gloveman Adnan Akmal off series’ highest wicket-taker Saeed Ajmal.

Pakistan VS England: Shafiq scored enterprising 45

Rehman banged again to eliminate Eoin Morgan (10) Matt Prior (6) in quick succession.

Earlier, Asad Shafiq was the only man who showed the real resistance with an enterprising 78-ball 45 as six of Pakistan batsmen failed to advance into double-figures.

Broad perished Azhar Ali (1), Younis Khan (4), Mohammad Hafeez (13) and Adnan Akmal (6) in the morning session.

Pakistan were lurching at 53 for 7 at lunch but after interval Shafiq and Saeed Ajmal temporarily stopped the toppling wickets with a sporadic rotation of strike.

The pair put on 34 runs for eighth wickets before snaring leg-before to Panesar, who finished with 2-25.

Gul made 13 before Anderson bowled him to wrap up the innings.

Pakistan have already clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with colossal victories at the same venue and Abu Dhabi and are aiming to record their first whitewash of England.

Pakistan VS England 3rd Test Scorecard

Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni are congratulating each other after defeating Australia

The 30-year-old stylish left-hander (56 not out) developed 54-run second-wicket stand with Virat Kohli (31) as India chased-down 131-run victory target with two balls to spare.

Gambhir slashed a boundary off pacer Clint McKay to lead his side beyond target, which also ended India’s seven-month winning dearth on foreign soil.

The tourists had earlier lost the Test series 0-4 to Australia before suffering a 31-run defeat in the first Twenty20 game in Sydney.

India VS Australia: Gambhir, Sehwag added 43 runs

Openers Gambhir and Virender Sehwag got India off a strong start and galloped the tally to 43 in 6.2 overs before resurrect left-arm spinner Brad Haddin claimed latter for 23 brilliantly caught by Shaun Marsh at short cover.

Gambhir-Kohli association occupied the crease for almost eight overs and drove up India closer to the target. The two added 54 runs for the second wicket before latter fell to Mitchell Marsh for 31 off 24 balls.

Skipper MS Dhoni scored an unbeaten 21 off 18 balls.

India VS Australia: Finch top-scored for Australia with 36

Earlier, a lissome India delivered a fine account of themselves in the field as they effected four run-outs to fold up Australia for a modest 131 runs in 19.4 overs.

Opener Aaron Finch, top-scored with 36 off 23 balls and Wednesday’s Man-of-the-Match, Matthew Wade, batted at number six and chipped in with 32 off 29 balls.

Pacer Praveen Kumar and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma claimed two wickets apiece.

The two sides now move on to the Commonwealth Bank Series, a tri-series also involving Sri Lanka.

India VS Australia 2nd Twenty20 Scorecard

Martin Guptill scored half-century to guide New Zealand 90-run victory against Zimbabwe

Guptill (70) stitched up 88 runs alongside Kane Williamson (36) for third wickets to help New Zealand manage 248 runs after they were forced to bat.

Nicol, playing his fourth one-dayer, then recorded his first four-wicket haul (4-19) to skittle out Zimbabwe for 158 with Kyle Mills claiming three wickets for 26.

Skipper Brendan Taylor (58) was the only man who demonstrated some resistance with a brave fifty.

Mills removed Stuart Matsikenyeri with the last ball of the opening over and, after Matsikenyeri’s opening partner Hamilton Masakadza was run out for 7, he then got rid of Regis Chakabva to leave Zimbabwe 15-3 in the seventh over.

New Zealand VS Zimbabwe: Taylor, Taibu added 52 runs

Forbidding the tumble of wickets, Taylor launched a strong recovery in the company of Tatenda Taibu (20) and added 52 runs for fourth wicket before debutant seamer Andrew Ellis claimed latter caught by Williamson at point.

Nicol extended the tourists’ misery by dismissing the dangerman Taylor four overs later. His 68-ball knock was studded with eight boundaries and a six.

No other batsman was able to offer resistance afterwards as Malcolm Waller (12), Elton Chigumbura (15), Keegan Meth (10), Shingirai Masakadza (2), and Kyle Jarvis (2) capitulated meekly.

New Zealand VS Zimbabwe: Guptill hit 10 boundaries

Earlier, debutant seamer Shingirai Masakadza claimed 4-46 as Zimbabwe bundled out New Zealand in the 49th over of its innings on a greenish pitch.

The hosts triggered the proceedings miserably and lost its first two wickets for four runs in the first eight balls of the innings but thanks largely to Guptill-Williamson association, who adopted a levelheaded approach and drove up the score to 92-2 before Masakadza captured a popped catch of later.

Guptill brought up his 13th ODI half-century in 82 minutes from only 44 balls with seven boundaries and slashed three more fours before being bowled out off Chigumbura, who struck again an over later to claim Tom Latham (24).

Masakadza uprooted the stumps of Nathan McCullum (30), and Ellis (33) in the successive overs before trapping Tim Southee (3) to wrap up the innings.

The match is scheduled in Whangarei on February 6. Three-match one-day series will be pursed by two Twenty20 internationals.

New Zealand VS Zimbabwe 1st ODI Scorecard

Chris Tremlett faces three months out

The back strain forced him to miss England’s ongoing Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates but now will also be unavailable for his side’s tour of Sri Lanka later next month.

A similar injury kept the 30-year-old out of the England computation for five months, until he returned for the series-opener against Pakistan in Dubai, but looked lackluster in his marathons and failed to pick to wicket.

Tremlett was second England player to fly home from UAE

England lost first Test by ten wickets and second in Abu Dhabi by 72 runs to concede Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final Test is starting from Friday in Dubai.

Tremlett was the second England player to fly home from UAE. Earlier Tim Bresnan had already been forced home with an elbow injury.

Tremlett hopes to regain fitness by end of April

After Sri Lanka tour, England’s next assignment is to host West Indies in May for a full-fledge series, and Tremlett, who requires a procedure on a ‘bulging spinal disc’, is optimistic to regain the fitness before that.

“After seeing specialist scans reveal a bulging disc and may require a little clean up. Hopefully back playing mid to end of April,” Tremlett said via Twitter on Thursday.

Haroon Lorgat says ICC will carry out a proper assessment in Pakistan

“Safety and security is a serious issue,” said Lorgat when asked whether ICC will send the officials to Pakistan.

“There are grave responsibilities on any of us who send teams or match officials (to Pakistan) and we need to do a proper assessment before we come to any conclusion about touring Pakistan,” he said.

Militant attacks in 2009 had also wounded match officials

Pakistan become implicitly a no-go zone for international teams after the militants attacked the Sri Lankan team 2009 in March. In which eight people were killed and seven visiting players wounded along with their assistant coach.

The attacks also injured Australian match umpires Simon Taufel and Steve Davis match referee Chris Broad and reserve umpire Ahsan Raza of Pakistan.

Since then Pakistan are playing their home series in United Arab Emirates.

A Bangladesh delegation will visit Pakistan soon

For the revival of international cricket on their backyard, Pakistan have invited Bangladesh for limited-over series in April this year and their government has vowed to provide much-possible security to the visiting team.

A Bangladesh delegation will visit Pakistan soon to interrogate the security conditions of the country before clearing the tour.

Matthew Wade slammed 72 off 43 balls to lead Australia victory over India in 1st T20

The 24-year-old Victorian wicketkeeper-batsman, spanking five boundaries and three sixes on his way, stitched up 56 runs with David Hussey (42) for third wicket to power Australia 171-4 after they were asked to bat.

The competitive target remains beyond tourists, range and they could manage to reach 140-6 with Daniel Christian (2-35) and Hussey (2-4) claiming two wickets apiece.

This was India’s fifth straight defeat in the tour, they faced the humiliation of 0-4 whitewash in preceding Test series.

Skipper MS Dhoni was the only Indian batsman who showed some dauntlessness with an unbeaten 48 off 43 balls.

India VS Australia: Christen removed Raina, Jadeja in successive overs

Christian removed Suresh Raina (14) and Ravindra Jadeja (7) in the successive overs to put Australia in commanding position before Hussey dismissed Rohit Sharma (naught).

Speed-merchant Brett Lee daunted India a big blow in the first over by scalping Virender Sehwag, caught by Hussey at point.

Gautam Gambhir (20) and number-three Virat Kohli (22) tried to resurrect India with a brisk 41-run stand for third wicket but the association was not long-lasting as Hussey eliminated the former on the third delivery of 6th over.

40-year-old leggie Brad Hogg celebrated his return to international cricket by dismissing Kohli.

India VS Australia: Warner plundered 25 off 14 balls

Earlier, opener David Warner led Australia to a flying start and clubbed 25 off 14 balls with the help of two sixes and a boundary before felling to paceman Vinay Kumar in the third over.

Travis Birt scored 17 off 21 balls before handing Ravichandran Ashwin his second wicket.

Wade-Hussey association then took the complete control and hit sixes and boundaries all around the ground.

But Wade fell shortly after resumption of play after the rain had stopped play when the hosts reached 131/2 in 14.4 overs.

Hussey cleared the ropes thrice and hit a four before downing to off-spinner Rohit Sharma off the penultimate delivery of final over.

Australia’s new T20 skipper debutant George Bailey scored unbeaten 12 off 11 balls.

The second and final T20 is scheduled in Melbourne on Friday.

India VS Australia 1st T20 scorecard